It is considered that chamomile tea is one of the most popular and the most consumed herbal tea around the world. Certainly, chamomile is a medicinal plant that grows in any part of the world, and therapeutic benefits of it are known and have been used for ages. Chamomile is great for normalizing the function of our digestive system, preventing possible stomach problems and stimulating digestion. Besides, this medicinal herb plays a great role in skin care, and very commonly it is used as a key ingredient for natural skin or hand care creams. Chamomile soothes, helps to relax and calm down, and a cup of chamomile tea before going to sleep is known as a great natural remedy for sleep disorders and anxiety. Finally, chamomile is a rich source of natural nutrients and other essential substances for our health, it can be used to prevent obesity and decrease our risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Read more about therapeutic properties and health benefits of chamomile tea in this article.

We believe that we know this all and are aware about all chamomile tea benefits. However, plenty of studies are being carried out in scientific labs, and new therapeutic properties of this miraculous herb are being discovered. This month, the findings of a scientific group at Ohio State University were published, confirming that by using a cup or two of chamomile tea a day it is possible to decrease our risks for cancer and slow down negative effects of oxidative stress. American researchers found out that chamomile tea is rich in apigenin, a natural substance which can inhibit the growth of cancerous cells (in particular, the cells of breast cancer). In addition to chamomile, such foods as celery and parsley, as well as some other foods common for the traditional Mediterranean diet, were discovered to be rich in apigenin, thus have natural properties to protect us against some types of cancer. The findings were published in one of the recent issues of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal.

Apigenin is known for having quite strong anti-inflammatory properties, but its excellent abilities to slow down oxidative stress and protect us against cancer were not known before. The scientists tried to look closer at the discovered phenomena and understand the mechanisms of apigenin interacting with the proteins in our cells. It was found out that this substance helps in repairing the abnormalities in our DNA chains linked to faulty cancerous cell formation. It is considered that such imbalances and abnormalities in our DNA are responsible for about 80 per cent of cancer cases. ‘In its relationship with a set of specific proteins, apigenin re-establishes the normal profile in cancer cells. We think this can have great value clinically as a potential cancer-prevention strategy,’ said Professor Andrea Dosef, one of the study leaders and a genetics specialist of Ohio State University.

During the study, the researchers managed to find out that apigenin can bind with about 160 proteins in our cells in order to prevent destructive processes in our body and prevent serious diseases. The scientists suppose that other anti-cancer substances can work in a similar way to ward off the disease. At the same time traditional anti-cancer drugs and pharmaceuticals are designed to bind with only one molecule or one type of molecule in human body. The scientists could observe that apigenin interacts with the protein known as hnRNPA2, responsible for instructing our DNA as to producing certain proteins. This very protein, or actually the imbalances linked to this protein function, account for a great number of cancers. When apigenin bonds with the hnRNPA2 protein, the function of this protein is restored and breast cancer sells stopped being produced, as well as the existing cancerous cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy. ‘So by applying this nutrient, we can activate that killing machinery,’ the study leader said. The researchers are convinced that anti-cancer benefits of chamomile tea go far beyond that.

Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.